Week 4 Assessment Task 7 (Outcome1)

Information Structures

Metaphors in Film

- Passing of Time
This can be done by using shadows, time lapses, clocks, time of day etc. Here I have found and example that has used shadow and time laps to show the passing of time in this room.

The original movie can be found here.

- Real life direction or movement

the internationally known exit sign, has no words or text most of the time but is always showing the direction of exit.

And then departures logos for airports is used to show direction of boarding gates.

-On the computer for processes/tasks in software programs

Here on Mac Computers you have these interface logos used to represent actions.

The Globe - Internet / World Wide Web

Bin 'trash' - A metaphor for putting unwanted files and folders in 'the bin' but to ultimately friendly usable interface to anyone, since most people understand the concept of a bin.

These two are really effective because they are simple to anyone. Like I said the bin is something most people understand the concept of, and the globe represents the world, i.e 'The World Wide web'.

-The metaphor of a 'Desktop'

Since an interface was created the concept of a 'desktop' has always been present. The word 'desktop' itself puts the image of a desk into ur heads. And what ever else we had stored would physically be in filing systems. This is a very broken down way to make the interface easy for anyone.

“We are told to believe that this is a “metaphor” for a ‘desktop’. But I personally have never seen a desktop where pointing at a lower piece of paper makes it jump to the top, or where placing a sheet of paper on top of a file folder causes the folder to gobble it up. I don’t believe such desks exist, and I don’t think I want one if it did.” -Nelson, The Art of Human-Computer Interface Design, (1990: 237)

I don't agree with this because it isn't literally a desk nor is it literally a file/folder. It's on a screen, would he have preferred if the folder opened up on you screen with a physical interface of a plastic folder and you had to physically drag your mouse to change a page, I don't think so. It is designed like this to be fast, convent and orderly.

-Unhelpful/confusing Internet & Software icons.

I have never liked this icon on Macs to create a new bookmark. It doesn't make sense to me I don't relate to it and I had to click on it to find out what it does.